Most Fertile Woman In The World: Woman Banned From Having More Kids After 44 Children

Mariam Nabatanzi, the world's most fertile woman gave birth to 44 children before she was 36 years old. Doctors have banned her from having more kids. But, there is more to her story

Some stories can make you drop your jaw in surprise or shock, and Mariam Nabatanzi’s is one of such astonishing stories. So astonishing that one might find themselves doubting the authenticity of such a story. But authentic it is. Throughout her life, Nabatanzi gave birth to over 40 children, earning herself the nickname of Most Fertile Woman in the World. As is expected, according to Australia 7 News, her fertility has raised many eyebrows all over the world, with doctors stepping in to put a stop to any more childbirth.

Mariam Nabatanzi: the most fertile woman in the world

Nabatanzi’s life took a turn for the worse when her mother left her and her siblings at only seven, after which their stepmother took over and poisoned the children’s food with broken glass. Nabatanzi had only escaped the poisoning because she was visiting relatives at the time.

“I was seven years old then, too young to even understand what death actually meant. I was told by relatives what had happened,” she told the New York Post.

Nonetheless, Nabatanzi was forced into marriage at age 12, giving birth to her first child at 13. She would go ahead to give birth to over 40 children. But you should know that giving birth to that many children wasn’t by her design. By Nabatanzi’s own account, she only wanted at least six children. But at just 23 she had already had 25 children, at which point she begged the doctor to help stop her from having more children. Instead, the doctor’s advice was for her to keep giving birth to more children because of her unusually high ovary count. Thankfully, she got the medical help needed to put a stop to childbirth after her final birth.

According to a gynaecologist at Mulago Hospital in Kampala named Dr Charles Kiggundu, “Her case is a genetic predisposition to hyper-ovulate, which is releasing multiple eggs in one cycle, which significantly increases the chance of having multiples; it is always genetic.”

How does such a large family cope?

Pulse Kenya

Nabatanzi works multiple jobs as a hairdresser, an event decorator, and scrap metal seller. On top of that, she brews local gin and herbal medicine for profit. Despite working multiple jobs, Ivan Kibuka, her 23-year-old son, had to drop out of school. “Mum is overwhelmed,” Ivan said. “The work is crushing her, we help where we can, like in cooking and washing, but she still carries the whole burden for the family. I feel for her.”

Finally, the family eats 25kgs of maize flour each day, with fish and meat being rare treats. And with the help of a roster, everyone knows when to do their chores.

What Can You Eat To Increase Fertility Like The Most Fertile Woman?

Food Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, like Salmon

Image source: stock photo

It’s common knowledge that omega-3 fatty acids can improve brain function, but did you know that they are also good for pregnancy? Omega-3 fatty acids:

Antioxidants: protect cells (like the egg), and organs that make reproductive hormones, from free radical damage

4. Beans

Image source: stock photo

Can the humble bean help with making your bundle of joy? Science says so!

Beans pack a lot of folate, fibre and are a good source of protein, making them a good food for conceiving.

Research from the Harvard School of Public Health observed 17,500 female nurses who had no prior difficulties in conceiving, attempting to become pregnant. They discovered that:

Women who ate the most animal proteins are 39 per cent less likely to conceive, whereas those who ingested proteins from plants (like beans) had fewer issues in getting pregnant.

Beans are chock-full of iron which is crucially needed to prevent anaemia while trying to get pregnant.

Mariam Nabatanzi’s genetic disposition contributed to her being considered the world’s most fertile woman. But, if her doctors had responded to her appeal when she was younger, her situation would have been better managed.